6. W.C. Fletchers 650th Anniversary Celebration, September 20, 2021

On 20 September 2021, I joined a service at St Vedast-alias-Foster to celebrate the 650th anniversary of Worshipful Company of Fletchers’ foundation. At some point before 7 March 1371, the leaders of the crafts of the Bowyers and Fletchers, who had previously formed one association, agreed that the two crafts should separate completely, and that henceforth no one individual should be allowed to make and sell both bows and arrows.

We were welcomed by the Master Fletcher, Professor Anne Curry and by the Rector, the Revd Paul Kennedy. By chance, acceptance for the Anniversary Celebration had been received from 65 Masters, who together with their Clerks and the Liverymen of the Fletchers, attended the Service. For many, it was their first major event since lockdown and the energy that went into the singing was amazing.

Until well into the 21st century, the Fletchers Company remained a Company ‘by prescription’, that is, they relied upon the authority of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London for the enforcement of their regulations and ordinances, sharing any fines imposed on rule-breakers with the City’s Chamber.

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